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TomBrend
5
Nov 6, 2014
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This is absolutely better than the $20 Radio Shack iron / kit, but for this price, you can get a Weller station, which is enormously superior. The other accessories here vary between not necessary and not good- those tweezers will last 20 minutes, and the solder pumps are inferior to desoldering braid.
jacobolus
41
Nov 6, 2014
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TomBrendWhat kinds of things do you desolder? I’ve been using both desoldering braid/wick and a Soldapullt for desoldering all kinds of stuff (but in particular at least a dozen keyboards), and for through-hole desoldering the Soldapullt is much much easier to use and more effective than desoldering braid. I’ve also tried those Radio Shack desoldering iron things, and the Soldapullt is also much nicer to use than those IMO. I would recommend a Soldapullt to any beginner without hesitation. Make sure you get the Edsyn version though; I’ve also tried a couple different $5 knock-off desoldering pumps, and they’re much less effective.
It’s also nice to have some desoldering braid, as it works in some situations that the Soldapullt isn’t great for.
Of course, a several-hundred-dollar desoldering tool is nicer than any such tools.
Which Weller station do you think is “enormously superior”? Weller makes soldering stations at many price points and quality levels.
It’s also nice to have some desoldering braid, as it works in some situations that the Soldapullt isn’t great for.
Of course, a several-hundred-dollar desoldering tool is nicer than any such tools.
Which Weller station do you think is “enormously superior”? Weller makes soldering stations at many price points and quality levels.
Smasher816
1
Nov 6, 2014
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TomBrendThat depends. Trying to desolder 204 joints with braid would be difficult and take forever. Not to mention possibly pulling up plating by keeping the iron on too long. With the pump you put the iron on the joint for 2 seconds, press a button, move on. Easy peasy.
As others have mentioned the pump last thousands of uses and with cleaning will work for ever. Unlike braid you don't have to keep buying more as you run out. Unlike the more expensive Hakko 808 it doesn't occasionally jam. Sure braid can have its place in some projects, but if you are going to be desoldering a lot then get a good desoldering pump, no questions asked. You won't regret it. Seriously, talk to anyone who has done a lot of switch harvesting from keyboards and they will echo the same thing.
As others have mentioned the pump last thousands of uses and with cleaning will work for ever. Unlike braid you don't have to keep buying more as you run out. Unlike the more expensive Hakko 808 it doesn't occasionally jam. Sure braid can have its place in some projects, but if you are going to be desoldering a lot then get a good desoldering pump, no questions asked. You won't regret it. Seriously, talk to anyone who has done a lot of switch harvesting from keyboards and they will echo the same thing.
TomBrend
5
Dec 16, 2014
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Smasher816I solder probably 3 days out of any given week. I've harvest tons of parts from all manner of assemblies, and I prefer wick. I'm not sure what you mean about 0204's... they'd go right into the pump and you'd lose the part, and probably clog the gun.
ming.geekhackers.org
62
Dec 17, 2014
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TomBrendFolks, for reference, an 0204 package is a 0.2x0.4mm passive device, usually resistors and low impedance stacked capacitors. typically, a device this small costs a fraction of a penny per unit, and is well known for being susceptible to physical damage. that is, so little solder is involved in keeping it on the board that people tend to accidentally knock them off boards during handling.
you can decide for yourself whether further discussion of such devices is relevant to this product.
you can decide for yourself whether further discussion of such devices is relevant to this product.
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